Sergeant Major, MAG-24
Sergeant Major Henry R. French

Sergeant Major French joined the Marine Corps on November 17, 1998 and underwent recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. After boot camp he reported to School of Infantry (East) at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Upon graduation of School of Infantry in March 1999, Pvt French reported to Marine Detachment Lackland AFB, TX for Military Police/Corrections MOS training as a Military Police Corrections Specialist.

After graduation, PFC French reported to his first duty station at Provost Marshal’s Office, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan in May 1999 to work as a Correction Specialist and Military Policeman.

In May 2000, LCpl French reported to Installations Support Services, Brig Company, Camp Lejeune, NC where he worked as the Receiving and Release NCO, Special Quarters Supervisor, Master Control NCOIC, and Correctional Custody Unit (CCU) instructor. In October 2000, LCpl French was meritoriously promoted to Corporal and in November 2002 was promoted to Sergeant.

In December 2002, Sgt French received orders to the Marine Corps Absentee Collection Unit, MCRD San Diego, CA to work as a Cross Country Chaser.  This duty consisted of investigating Marine Corps deserters, transporting deserters from place of arrest to parent command, and transporting Marine Corps prisoners from brig to brig and/or to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, KS.  In January 2007, Sgt French was promoted to Staff Sergeant.

In September 2007, SSgt French received orders to Security Bn, Camp Pendleton, CA.  While subsequently assigned to the brig SSgt French was hand selected to be the Duty Brig Supervisor, a billet held by Gunnery Sergeants. 

In April 2008, SSgt French was selected to join 1st Bn, 12th Marines, MCB Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii as part of the Task Force MP mission in Iraq. SSgt French reported to 1/12 in April and assisted and supervised the basic corrections, and military police training of 175 Artillery Marines. SSgt French deployed to Ramadi, Iraq in October on 2008, where he served as the Detention Operations Training Team SNCOIC, Platoon Sergeant for Alpha Battery, and SNCOIC of Detainee Mass Movement Operations. After the deployment SSgt French reported back to Security Battalion and resumed his duties as the Duty Brig Supervisor.

In January 2010, SSgt French reported to Drill Instructor School, MCRD San Diego, CA. After graduation of DI School, SSgt French reported to Fox Company, Second Recruit Training Battalion. During his tour he completed four cycles as a drill instructor, two cycles as a senior drill instructor, and one cycles as a chief drill instructor.  In January 2011, SSgt French was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. He also served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant and First Sergeant at Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion.

In June 2013, Gunnery Sergeant French reported to Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, where he served as the Detachment Gunnery Sergeant.

In April 2015, Gunnery Sergeant French was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant. From May 2015 to April 2017 he served as the Company First Sergeant of India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, MCB Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii where he completed one Forward Deployed Forces (FDF) to Okinawa, Japan.

In April 2017, First Sergeant French assumed the duties as the Company First Sergeant of Headquarters Company, 3d Marine Regiment. During his tour as the First Sergeant of Headquarters Company, 1stSgt French occasionally filled the billet of Regimental Sergeant Major and participated in Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 3-17 and 2-18 while serving in the billets of MAGTF Sergeant Major and Camp First Sergeant for Camp Wilson.

In July of 2018. First Sergeant French assume the duties as the Company First Sergeant of Company H, MCT Bn, SOI-W where he completed nine training cycles before being promoted to his current rank and assuming the billet of Battalion Sergeant Major for Infantry Training Battalion, SOI-W on 13 September 2019.

In November of 2021, Sergeant Major French assumed the role as the Sergeant Major of 7th Engineer Support Battalion.

On 26 April 2023, SgtMaj French assumed his current role as the Group Sergeant Major of MAG-24.

Sergeant Major French’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award.